A professor of Law at the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Omolade Oniyinde, has advocated efficient remuneration and motivation for magistrates and judges to strengthen the justice system in Nigeria.
Oniyinde, who also sought support for courts as institutions to reduce delays in trials, noted that speedy and timely justice was necessary in the justice system.
The law teacher spoke in a lecture he delivered at Ikere Ekiti on Friday, titled “The quest for justice in Nigerian society.”
The lecture was organised in honour of a veteran litigant in Ekiti State, the late Michael Ajana, who died at the age of 103 years.
She said, “To enhance smooth justice in our society, everyone must have at least a basic education to know their rights.
“Under Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution, for instance, you have the right to life, the right to the dignity of the human person, and so on.
“Citizens must know when their rights are being infringed upon. Once you recognise an infringement, the next step is to enforce those rights by approaching the courts to seek redress.
“For this to work effectively, the judiciary itself must be strengthened. Magistrates and judges should be well paid, adequately funded, and motivated.
“The courts as institutions must also be well supported to reduce delays. People should not be kept on prolonged trials or left to languish on remand in correctional centers. Justice should be speedy and timely.”
The Secretary of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, Gboyega Morakinyo, urged Nigerians to know their rights and not be intimidated by any external force, saying these would enable them to defend themselves and enable justice to prevail.
He added, “Nothing good comes easy. Justice is natural; it is as essential as human life itself, so you cannot separate the two.
“It is, therefore, our duty to work towards achieving justice.
“You take your place and refuse to be a coward. Insist on your rights. Let it be known that no one can subject you to injustice.
“If you are in doubt, seek knowledge. If you are accused of something, don’t resign to fate; ask questions, seek advice, and find direction. With that, you are already taking the first step.”
A lawyer and son of the deceased, Olajide Ajana, in a chat with journalists, said the lecture, which would be held annually, was to honour his late father, who had been championing justice since 1962.
He said, “We are holding this lecture in honour of my late father because he was passionate about justice and pursued it relentlessly since 1962, especially for his family.
“Even at the age of 100, the family still depended on him to channel the cause of justice. He would go to the palace to restate family history, present evidence, and defend the family in advanced cases still in court. He lived his life for justice,” he added.
